Health permitting, Bobby Southworth could return before the end of the year

http://mmajunkie.comDespite having to pull out of a recent title fight with Renato “Babalu” Sobral (30-7), Strikeforce world light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth (9-5) could return to action before year’s end.

Southworth, who suffered a potentially torn ACL and meniscus during a training session last week, has since been replaced in the Sept. 20 “Strikeforce at the Mansion II” event by Anthony Ruiz (21-11).

And while the option of creating an interim title for the Sorbal vs. Ruiz fight was at least considered at one point, Strikeforce officials are now optimistic the title could be contested before 2009.

“[Southworth] has to undergo an MRI … next week,” Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “It’ll determine the extent of the damage. They’re saying four to six weeks of physical therapy.”

Assuming the damage isn’t too severe, Afromowitz said Southworth could fight at a currently unannounced event that will take place in November or December.

While Afromowitz wouldn’t say the winner of the Sobral vs. Ruiz fight is guaranteed a title shot (Ruiz recently dropped a unanimous-decision to Southworth in a championship bout), he did say the victor would put himself in good position. While the high-profile signing of Sobral would seem to make him an obvious choice, win or lose, for the title shot, Afromowitz isn’t counting out Ruiz.

“He beat Bobby once before (in a non-title fight),” Afromowitz said. “But they fought on the last show, and [Ruiz] lost to Bobby. But it was a five-round fight, and it’s not like he was dominated. Anthony fought hard.”

As for Sobral, a former UFC fighter who likely signed a Strikeforce contract with the promise of an immediate title shot, Afromowitz said the organization didn’t have any problem scheduling the new fight with the fighter’s camp.

“They were good with it,” Afromowitz said. “I’m sure they wanted the title shot they were supposed to have, but what can you do? … I’m sure they wanted to fight the best Bobby possible because it makes it a legitimate title shot.”

In addition to the Sobral vs. Ruiz fight, Strikeforce at the Mansion II also features Strikeforce world lightweight champion Josh Thomson vs. Ashe Bowman (in a non-title fight), as well as Kazuo Misaki vs. Joe Riggs and Cory Devela vs. Terry Martin.

Afromowitz said the organization is currently sifting through broadcast/streaming options for the event and will announce a partner soon.

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